New Milford's 67th District candidates offer different approaches to thorny state financial issues

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NEW MILFORD -- In what is uncommon in politics these days, the two candidates for the 67th District state General Assembly seat were cordial rather than combative while discussing how they would lead the district in the next two years.

Incumbent Republican Clark Chapin, 48, who is seeking his sixth term in office, is banking on his legislative experience to help forge the bipartisan alliances needed to tackle a multi-billion-dollar deficit that will require significant cutbacks likely to be painful to state employees and state residents.

His challenger, political newcomer and Green Party candidate Nicholas Payne, 61, wants to head in another direction when it comes to eliminating the deficit, namely targeting reform of what he calls failed drug and prison policies so the state can spend less money on putting people in jail and at the same time rid the streets of drug dealers.

At at a News-Times editorial board meeting this week, Chapin and Payne shared their views on numerous topics affecting the state and district, everything from passenger train service to transportation.

Chapin's perspective on solving problems was shaped by both his government experience and a focus on pushing the state to steer clear of doing more than it can afford.

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The candidates
Incumbent Republican Clark Chapin, 48, is seeking a sixth term representing the 67th District.
His challenger is Nicholas Payne, 61, a self-employed electrical engineer and member of the Green Party. This is Payne's first race.

Payne's focus is more on seeking new ways of approaching old and new problems, particularly tackling crime as a means of encouraging economic development, because he suggests the status quo no longer works.

Chapin said he has gained a reputation in the state Legislature of saying no to many appropriations that he does not believe the government should be expected to provide during these difficult financial times.

"These are all good programs, but we can't pay for all of them,'' Chapin said is his steady mantra as a long-standing member of the Appropriations Committee.

He said he believes the state's financial predicament is because of the Legislature's inability to prioritize and an "insatiable appetite to spend.''

Payne sad he believes the state's priorities have become skewed, and Connecticut needs to revitalize its communities by targeting people who deal drugs to children rather than arresting adult pot smokers. He favors legalizing marijuana and seeking rehabilitation opportunities for drug addicts rather than prison sentences.

Payne said prisons should be reserved for violent criminals, often drug dealers willing to kill to protect their territories. Likewise, he is convinced violence in the state's cities has dampened their economic opportunities. Less crime equates to more business and more tax revenue, Payne said.

On a local level, Payne and Chapin both have reservations about whether passenger rail service in town would be embraced enough to make it worth the expense.

Chapin said he is pleased with some of the traffic improvements the state has helped finance locally, but is open to more if the town demonstrates the need. Payne favors adding sidewalks and bike paths on the heavily traveled corridors.

Chapin favors the death penalty, and Payne is generally opposed to it.

Chapin said solving the state's fiscal crisis will clearly be the Legislature's top priority and to do that will require putting "everything on the table.''

Payne said lawmakers have to get out of their "comfort zone'' and think about changes never before considered.

In the end, Chapin harkened back to his proven track record of leadership, while Payne suggested that he brings a "powerful, new agenda.''